Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

He tossed a broken pen onto the table and calmly said, "I am [Red Center]."

Chapter 194: Then I killed him for nothing? (Part 65)

"Clap!"

Dunn's expression went through several stages of change; his hands trembled like a Parkinson's patient, and soon he couldn't even hold the gun steadily.

He suddenly remembered where he was: the Pearl Shell Hotel, which had changed hands several times before being called the Nordlin Hotel.

“You…I…we…” Dunn swallowed hard and said in a deep voice, “We haven’t offended you…”

He suddenly felt powerless. To be honest, what had the Nordlin family done to offend him? To this day, there was no consensus. Red Center didn't need a reason to kill, or perhaps his reasons would seem utterly ridiculous and insignificant to these high-ranking people. Who could have imagined that a family that had been prosperous for five generations would be wiped out for 25 cents?

David's expression was extremely distorted. He was racking his brains to recall the events of that day on the snowy mountain, at what seemed to be some kind of inn, where he had a cup of coffee. After that, he couldn't remember many things clearly. But the words and actions he had spoken and done with this person while riding in the same carriage seemed to be very clear to him.

I did say it back then, didn't I?

You did say things like "We need to bring Hongzhong to justice," didn't you?

"Da da da da..."

His teeth started chattering involuntarily, and when he actually stood in front of Hong Zhong, the difference in their auras made him quickly realize how naive he had been.

"what!!!"

Upon eye contact, he instinctively stood up, as if by reflex, and looked at him with considerable fear.

“You haven’t offended me, but I…” Zhang Renfeng seemed to be deliberately keeping people in suspense, and after a long pause, he continued, “I did you a great favor.”

"Right, Becky?"

"Huh?!" Becky was suddenly called on and looked blank.

"At this point, it doesn't matter." Zhang Renfeng moved a stool over. "Let's talk to them."

……

Snow-capped mountains. Mini Traveler's Shop. Wolf Shepherd Gang.

A fierce battle that left blood splattered on the scene.

The story itself wasn't long and was finished quickly. Dunn listened, his face turning pale. He knew his daughter wasn't lying, because such a story couldn't be fabricated without prior planning. Besides, what reason would she have to collude with outsiders beforehand?

David was completely bewildered and dumbfounded. "No wonder it was so strange. After drinking that coffee, I felt dizzy and lightheaded..."

Of the three people who went in, he was the only one who got infected. Even Barbara realized what was happening, which made him feel a little ashamed.

"So, the Wolf Shepherd Gang was also your doing..."

“That’s right.” Zhang Renfeng nodded calmly. “Those guys were an eyesore, so I took care of them while I was at it.”

Dunn and McCain exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

The Wolf Shepherd Gang was nothing more than a bunch of country bumpkins who messed around and didn't have much fighting power, so it was normal for them to be wiped out.

The twenty-odd members of the Cold Cicada Gang... were all trained to a certain extent, yet they were still easily overwhelmed.

Everyone says that Red Central is a strong fighting force, but just how strong is it? Today I've truly experienced it for myself.

Thinking this way, McCain actually relaxed a bit—because he had already anticipated the worst outcome. Since he knew he couldn't escape anyway, he might as well sit down and see what McCain wanted to talk about.

What do we have that can serve you?

"No problem, no problem." Zhang Renfeng waved his hand, as if it were really a trivial matter. "Everyone thinks I love killing and am bloodthirsty, but that's not true. I only kill those who deserve to die. Like your daughter and your son... Although he has a sharp tongue, as long as he doesn't cross my bottom line, I won't lay a hand on him."

David listened, sweating profusely. He lowered his head, remaining silent and avoiding eye contact, afraid that David might suddenly change his mind.

After all, for them, taking his life would be as easy as snapping their fingers.

"I helped you, you helped me, so we're friends now, isn't that fair?"

“Specifically, what do you need us to do?” McCain asked.

“Wendigo Lecter is dead, but White Torch cannot be without a mayor.” Zhang Renfeng cleared his throat. “I also had someone investigate your backgrounds a bit. Mr. Dunn Harganda… I hope you can become the next mayor.”

……

"What?" Dunn's mouth gaped open, seemingly never expecting such a request. "Wait a minute, me, the mayor? Are you sure it's me?"

"Is that not allowed?" Zhang Renfeng asked with a smile.

"Simply put, it's a 'puppet mayor,' right?" McCain quickly saw through Zhang Renfeng's intentions. "Instead of waiting for other forces to install a mayor, it's better to strike first and have someone you know take the position. In this way, this area will become the territory of the 'Red Center Gang,' like planting a flag, allowing you to firmly occupy this area."

This explanation is quite reasonable.

“What the EU and Wendigo can give you, I can give you too,” Zhang Renfeng said in a deep voice. “I don’t like fighting and killing. We should all make money together. If they choose another Nordlin and drain this pool dry, wouldn’t I have killed him for nothing?”

Even if it doesn't become a situation where one family has absolute power, the two families probably won't have a good time after the new town mayor takes office.

Ultimately, they had become "too close" to Wendigo, and were bound to face repercussions. Especially McCain; the bank also had Wendigo's backing, and without him, it's uncertain whether the bank could continue operating.

Instead of waiting for others to take the initiative, it's time to find a new backer for yourself.

"As for running for office, of course, no problem," Dunn said, looking troubled. "But... I don't necessarily have many supporters. I've always been an arms dealer, never involved in politics. I doubt many people even know me..."

"You don't need to worry about that," Zhang Renfeng said confidently. "There will be a way."

----

"Let me go...let me go! Do you know who I am? I am the federal court's representative in White Torch! I can send the sheriff...ah!"

After being slapped, the man finally became more obedient. He realized he was being pushed into a room, where the man forcibly pressed him into a chair. With a swish, he removed his hood.

"Hiss...ah..."

He touched the side of his face where he had been hit, his eyes stinging from the bright light, barely able to make out what was in front of him.

A round table and four chairs.

"Dr. Elan? Prosecutor Walker? What are you two doing here...?"

The two people whose names he called looked dazed, curled up, and didn't respond at all.

To his even greater surprise, a dwarf was sitting in the main seat.

He was wearing a custom-tailored suit, his hair was slightly curly, his beard was neatly trimmed, and his expression was calm, without sadness or joy, as he gazed at himself in this serene manner.

There were also many tall, imposing men standing around the room, effectively eliminating any possibility of him turning around and running away.

"This is the last one." The man who had brought him here walked to the dwarf's side, seemingly without any intention of hiding anything, his voice as usual, which everyone could hear.

"okay."

"Clap!"

The dwarf clapped his hands, seemingly to get the other two's attention. "Gentlemen, please forgive my men, they're a bit... rude."

“My name is Igorinacio Zolael, and I am the Zolael family’s representative in New Orleans and New Elizabeth.”

You can call me "Mule".

Chapter 195: Money or Life, You Have to Choose One

Mule?

Judge Anthony, who had been brought in by kidnappers, changed his expression. This name was like a ghost; for a long time, he had only heard of it but never seen it.

He had previously attended one or two "parties" organized by Dr. Chilton, where many unsavory stories were passed around like riddles in the wind, and Red and Mule were among them.

Compared to the extremely high-profile Hong Zhong, Mule was much more low-key. Rumors circulated throughout the town that his style was remarkably discreet, almost unlike that of a gang agent. Under his management, the town's various shady dealings proceeded smoothly and efficiently.

He brought few men, yet he managed to govern a portion of White Torch Town with remarkable efficiency without shedding blood. People only knew his deputy, Varga, but few had ever seen the mule himself; they knew nothing about his height, build, or appearance.

Who would have thought that such a person would be an inconspicuous dwarf?

……

“Dr. Elan,” Igor said, clasping his hands together and looking at him with a half-smile, “Business has been good lately, hasn’t it?”

"Ah? Um, because... because... a lot of things have happened in town these past few days, and more people have been injured. I've been treating them all according to regulations, absolutely!"

When Dr. Alan was dragged over, he was in a disheveled state, his clothes in disarray, but his expression was one of extreme panic. "Dr. Chilton did intern with me, but only for two weeks! I didn't know him at all, and what's more! I knew nothing about the evil deeds he committed, and the license he received was issued without my permission by my subordinates..."

His incessant explanation of the situation only made Igor laugh.

"Don't be so nervous, doctor. That's all in the past. Let's move on."

"I heard that further inside your clinic, there's an iron gate, and behind it, things are quite well-organized. Tables, chips, piles of cash—everything you'd expect. Many people who visit the clinic are there specifically for that..."

"Is this happening?"

Igor asked with a smile, but Dr. Alan turned pale with fright, and a layer of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

Running such a secret casino in a town is essentially tantamount to fighting the local gangs for food, akin to snatching food from a tiger's mouth. The doctor was visibly panicked; even his beard was trembling. This time, he couldn't even utter a word of explanation.

“I…this…Mr. Zolael, this is…”

Igor beckoned with his left hand, and the Thunder Gang members beside him quickly stepped forward and poured a glass of mellow, dark red wine.

“I believe this is all a misunderstanding, Dr. Alan, don’t be so nervous,” Igor asked with a smile. “If you could do me a favor right now…”

"Of course, of course!" Alan nodded repeatedly. "It would be my pleasure to serve!"

Igor smiled and nodded at him, indicating that he could drink the wine in front of him. In order to save his life, Dr. Elan did so without hesitation.

“Alright, next up is… Prosecutor Walker, it’s your turn,” Ego said calmly.

"I will not do anything that violates my moral principles!" Walker revealed a very firm look in his eyes, lowered his voice, looked around, and adopted an extremely contemptuous posture. "You can let them beat me to death, I don't care. My principles will absolutely be upheld!"

“Yes, Mr. Walker is a man of principle, I knew that from the very beginning.” Igor suddenly changed the subject, asking, “Were you this principled when you stole the church’s donations?”

"??!"

“Through some channels, I obtained two different receipts. Just one year and three months ago, the church commissioned you to handle a case of stolen donations. You recovered a full $1600 from that fraudster, but only $200 was returned to the church… Ha… a full $1400, you have quite the appetite, Prosecutor Walker.”

"You?! How could you..." Walker broke out in a cold sweat and struggled to his feet. "Nonsense, I didn't do it! It was 200 from the beginning, I just... I wasn't the only one who took it!"

“Yes, but you were in charge of leading this case, so you're probably the one who got the most.” Igor waved the two receipts in his hand and laughed. “I’ll put the details of what happened, along with these two receipts, into an envelope and hand it over to the newspaper. What do you think of this arrangement?”

“No, please don’t! Please…” Walker burst into tears. “If this gets out, I won’t be able to stay in this town, let alone work. Please, have mercy on me this once! I… I’ll go to the church to raise money, is that okay?!”

"Look at you, you coward." Igor's tone was utterly contemptuous. "If you're this scared, why did you even try? You dared to steal the money they were using to build the church? Are you even human?"

Even so, he waved his hand, and his underling handed him a glass of red wine.

Without any hesitation, Walker drank it all in one gulp.

……

"Next..."

Igor's gaze lingered briefly on Judge Anthony, and he actually laughed out loud. "Judge Anthony is truly an 'upright' man. He's handled everything that needed to be handled. I couldn't find anything out of you."

Anthony didn't speak, but his eyes still held a condescending disdain. He turned his head to the side, indicating that he couldn't be defeated by a few words like the two people before him.

However, Igor did not engage in therapeutic conversation with him.

He lit a cigar, waved his hand, and said casually, "Drag him out and kill him."

"……what?"

Anthony froze for a moment, and immediately two men in black suits rushed forward, each grabbing one of his arms and forcibly lifting him up, dragging him out without a second's delay. This scene terrified the two men who had just entered the safe zone; they trembled and dared not utter a single word.

"Are you crazy? Wait, wait a minute, wait a minute!" Seeing that they were being dragged to the door, Anthony struggled desperately, his legs almost reaching the sky. "I'm willing to cooperate with you!"

Igor waved his hand, and the men in black suits dragged him back and pressed him into a chair.

When the red wine, symbolizing pardon, was placed before him, Anthony's breathing became rapid, as if he had escaped death.

Money or life, you always need one of them.

Anthony tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

----

"Well then, since we're all family, I'll just get straight to the point..."

They weren't family at all, and it wasn't said outright, but right now, in this room, every word Igor uttered had an extraordinary, intimidating power.

His shadow was projected onto the wall, like that of a giant.

“All three are well-known voter representatives in their respective fields.”

"The new mayor of Baiju Town has been chosen. He is the person that Hongzhong and I jointly selected after discussing it."